A recall is the manufacturer's free repair of a safety defect — having one on record is not a reason to avoid a model, but leaving it unfixed is a reason to fix it before you drive.
What a recall is — and isn't
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or a safety authority finds a defect that poses an unreasonable risk. The repair is free, for the life of the car, regardless of who owns it. It is not the same as a service bulletin or a customer-satisfaction campaign.
A model with several recalls is not necessarily a bad car — popular models sell in huge numbers and get scrutinised more. What matters is whether the recalls on a specific car have been carried out.
How to check a specific car
Start with the model-year: MotorHangar lists the recall campaigns on record, with the component, the consequence and the remedy, and the source. Then take the car's VIN to the manufacturer or your national authority to see whether that exact vehicle has any recall still open.